Speaker: Marie Chieppo, partner, and Trevor Smith, regenerative landscape designer, CFS Regenerative Design Studios LLC

Climate change and rising environmental awareness are reshaping how plants and horticultural products are selected, specified, and purchased. Designers, municipalities, and consumers are prioritizing climate-resilient, ecologically functional plant material while also examining how those plants are produced. This session explores what environmentally informed buyers are seeking today, from regionally adapted and pollinator-supportive species to lower-input production systems and environmentally sound plant containers. We’ll discuss practical, scalable strategies growers can implement to align sustainability with profitability and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving marketplace.